The DRI Soil Characterization Laboratory is a non-profit, self-funded analytical laboratory, which conducts a wide range of physical and chemical analyses on soils. Capabilities of this laboratory focus upon measuring soil properties that can enhance the evaluation of soil hydrologic conditions, the evaluation of current and past environmental conditions, and determination of the physiochemical processes and hydropedology of desert soils. The laboratory is set up to integrate soil and sediment analyses with other DRI laboratories including those within the Division of Hydrologic Sciences, providing routine access for conducting a wide range of soil hydrological and biological analyses.

The Soil Characterization Laboratory is utilized by numerous PI's within DRI and the NSHE system. The laboratory is also setup to handle contract work. The laboratory is authorized to handle trace contaminated radionuclide soil and sediment samples. Furthermore, the Soil Characterization Laboratory has a strict quality assurance, and quality control (QA/QC) plan for soil and sediment analysis in compliance with the DOE standards. Current clients include Los Alamos National Laboratory and the New Mexico Environmental Department.

Left: A weakly developed, young soil (a) and a well-developed old soil (b) on the same granitic parent material.